New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-22
THE LONDON PAGEANT.

The London pageant was favored with the
prOverbal Queens weather. This was all that
was wanting to complete the elaborate prepara
tions made for the triumphal procession and
the Thanksgiving service in the Abbey; and
when the morning dawned clear and bright
without cloud in the sky the success of the
most brilliant town show in the history OF
England was assured. THE TRIBUNE's dis
patches contain full and animated description
of the scenes in the streets and in the Abbey.
London may literally be said to have camped
out the previous night, spectators who had not
purchased a costly coign of vantage in the up
per windows not venturing to wait for day.
light before securing a commanding position
overlooking the route of procession. In the
Abbey. too, there was the novel spectacle OF
early visitors of rank and quality breakfasting
on sandwiches within those hallOwed walls.
When the Queen entered the church Of her
coronation she was greeted by one of the most
distinguished audiences ever assembled. len
thousand spectators were present, including
representatives from every European court and
every British colony and civilized country a
more magnificent scene was never witnessed
in England
The most interesting accounts of great fetes
and State ceremonials are usually furnished
long after the scenes are enacted. The Queens
coronation in 1888 was nine days wonder
recounted by the most eloquent tongues and
versatile pens in England; but perhaps the
most graphic description Of it was given in a
private letter written by Felix Mendclssohn
and certainly the most piquant gossip about it
IL now to be found in the diaries of Charles
Greyille While @the golden fairy-like carriage
supported by tritons with their trdens and
surmounted by the great crown of England
drove up and the graceful girl was secnT bow
ing right and left while one roar OF cheering
almost drowned bells, trumpets and guns, the
observing musician had to pinch himself to
make sure that it was not all dream out OF
the Arabian Nights. 1t was far more brilliant
cortege that wound its way yesterday up Con-
stitution Hill and along Piccadilly to the Abbey.
Every house was again festooned and garlanded
and at every turn there were gayly decorated
canopies above the youth and beauty of London
society, and the popular enthusiasm for tho
Queen never found more fcrvcnt and alice
tomato expression than In the decp-voiced cries
and cheers from multitudes of loyal spectators
in the streets. But the glimpse of enthroncd
and grace which reminded Men
delssohn of the Arabian Nights was lacking.
The coronation had appealed to the Imagination
of the English people The Jubilee thanksgiv
ing service was not encompasscd with an at
mosphere of romance The Queen received
everywhere with joyful acclaim and smiling
wearily in return. was sombre foil for tho
radiant princess who once held potent sway
over the imaginatons Of men.
The coronation service apparently proceeded
without delay or embarrassment and with be-
coming smoothness and decorum That was thu
popular verdict Of the day. and generous COM
pliments were bestowed upon the Prime Minis
ter the Archbishop, the High Constable, the
Mistress Of the Robes The Captain OF Yeomcn
of the Guard, the Gold Stick and all the other
dignita.!as Of State who had ordered the ar
II was reserved years aftcrward
for Mr.. Gnville, kecn-eyed, lively gossip that
he was, to reveal all the secrets of the great
ceremonial to tell how nobody knew his part.
the Queen least of all ; TO repeat the trembling
of Royalty; TO explain all the bitches
and lost cues and to record the sweet submls-
sveness with which Victoria, when the Arch
bishop insisted that the church rubrics required
it. crushed upon her fourth finger the ruby ring
that was much too small for it. Possibly there
was another Grevillc behind the scenes at the
Abbey yesterday and one of these days all the
hidden gossip will come out But Of one thing
every one may now be confident. The Queen
was neither inundated by rubrics nor forced
to do anything against her Judgment and will. |
She insisted upon being arrayed in black as
widowed sovereign when she was passing in
triumph before the multitude Of slgh'seers
and Archbishop. Primo Minister and Gold Stick |
were powerless this time to resist the capriccs
of Majesty.